Dual tapered orifice plate for a grinding machine

Abstract

Orifice plates, grinding machines, and method of using the same are provided that can process a material. In one aspect, an orifice plate includes multiple orifices, at least one of which has two tapered segments aligned with and operably connected to each other and that taper downwardly from respective outer portions to inner portions. An intermediate bore may connect to minimum diameter portions of each of the tapering segments so that the tapering segments are connected to each other by way of the intermediate bore.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An orifice plate for a grinding machine, the orifice plate comprising:
 a first end surface; 
 a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and 
 a plurality of orifices defined through the orifice plate from the first end surface to the second end surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of orifices includes
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 an intermediate portion between the first and second openings and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width, 
 a first outer bore that extends from the first opening into the first end surface toward the intermediate portion, wherein the first outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 a second outer bore that extends from the second opening into the second end surface toward the intermediate portion, wherein the second outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 wherein the widths of the first and second outer bores are constant along the respective lengths, 
 a restriction segment defined between the first outer bore and the intermediate portion, wherein the restriction segment tapers between the first outer bore and the intermediate portion, and 
 an expansion segment defined between the intermediate portion and the second outer bore, wherein the expansion segment expands between the intermediate portion and the second outer bore. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice plate is symmetrical about a plane that extends transversely through a center of the orifice plate such that (i) the first opening and the restriction segment, and (ii) the second opening and the expansion segment are mirror images of each other about the plane. 
     
     
       3. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings have circular perimeters and the first and second widths are a same size. 
     
     
       4. The orifice plate of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises an intermediate bore having a circular perimeter that is aligned coaxially with the first and second openings. 
     
     
       5. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer bore has a same diameter as the first opening and the second outer bore has a same diameter as the second opening. 
     
     
       6. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second outer bores have a same diameter as the first and second openings. 
     
     
       7. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the restriction segment connects the first outer bore and the intermediate portion to each other. 
     
     
       8. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the restriction segment conically tapers downwardly from a connection location with the first outer bore to a connection location with the intermediate portion. 
     
     
       9. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion segment connects the second outer bore and the intermediate portion to each other. 
     
     
       10. The orifice plate of  claim 9 , wherein the expansion segment conically expands outward from a connection location with the intermediate portion to a connection location with the second outer bore. 
     
     
       11. The orifice plate of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of orifices include
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 an intermediate portion between the first and second openings and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width, 
 a first outer bore that extends from the first opening into the first end surface toward the intermediate portion, wherein the first outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 a second outer bore that extends from the second opening into the second end surface toward the intermediate portion, wherein the second outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 wherein the widths of the first and second outer bores are constant along the respective lengths, 
 a restriction segment defined between the first outer bore and the intermediate portion, wherein the restriction segment tapers between the first outer bore and the intermediate portion, and 
 an expansion segment defined between the intermediate portion and the second outer bore, wherein the expansion segment expands between the intermediate portion and the second outer bore. 
 
     
     
       12. An orifice plate for a grinding machine, the orifice plate comprising:
 a first end surface; 
 a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and 
 a plurality of orifices defined through the orifice plate from the first end surface to the second end surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of orifices includes
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 a first outer bore that extends from the first opening into the first end surface toward the second end surface, wherein the first outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 a second outer bore that extends from the second opening into the second end surface toward the first end surface, wherein the second outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 wherein the widths of the first and second outer bores are constant along the respective lengths, 
 a restriction segment that tapers from the first outer bore toward the second end surface, and 
 an expansion segment that expands toward the second end surface. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the orifice plate is symmetrical about a plane that extends transversely through a center of the orifice plate such that (i) the first opening and the restriction segment, and (ii) the second opening and the expansion segment are mirror images of each other about the plane. 
     
     
       14. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second openings have circular perimeters and the first and second widths are a same size. 
     
     
       15. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the first outer bore has a same diameter as the first opening and the second outer bore has a same diameter as the second opening. 
     
     
       16. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second outer bores have a same diameter as the first and second openings. 
     
     
       17. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the restriction segment conically tapers downward from a connection location with the first outer bore toward the second surface. 
     
     
       18. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein the expansion segment conically expands outward to a connection location with the second outer bore. 
     
     
       19. The orifice plate of  claim 12 , wherein all of the plurality of orifices include
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 a first outer bore that extends from the first opening into the first end surface toward the second end surface, wherein the first outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 a second outer bore that extends from the second opening into the second end surface toward the first end surface, wherein the second outer bore includes a length and a width, 
 wherein the widths of the first and second outer bores are constant along the respective lengths, 
 a restriction segment that tapers from the first outer bore toward the second end surface, and 
 an expansion segment that expands toward the second surface. 
 
     
     
       20. An orifice plate for a grinding machine, the orifice plate comprising:
 a first end surface; 
 a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and 
 a plurality of orifices defined through the orifice plate from the first end surface to the second end surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of orifices includes
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 an intermediate portion between the first and second openings and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width, 
 a restriction segment defined between the first opening and the intermediate portion, wherein the restriction segment tapers between the first opening and the intermediate portion, and 
 an expansion segment defined between the intermediate portion and the second opening, wherein the expansion segment expands between the intermediate portion and the second opening. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the orifice plate is symmetrical about a plane that extends transversely through a center of the orifice plate such that (i) the first opening and the restriction segment, and (ii) the second opening and the expansion segment are mirror images of each other about the plane. 
     
     
       22. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second openings have circular perimeters and the first and second widths are a same size. 
     
     
       23. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the restriction segment couples the first opening and the intermediate portion to each other. 
     
     
       24. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the restriction segment conically tapers downward in a direction from the first opening toward the intermediate portion. 
     
     
       25. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the expansion segment couples the second opening and the intermediate portion to each other. 
     
     
       26. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein the expansion segment conically expands outward in a direction from the intermediate portion toward the second opening. 
     
     
       27. The orifice plate of  claim 20 , wherein all of the plurality of orifices include
 a first opening defined at the first end surface and having a first width, 
 a second opening defined at the second end surface and having a second width, 
 an intermediate portion between the first and second openings and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width, 
 a restriction segment defined between the first opening and the intermediate portion, wherein the restriction segment tapers between the first opening and the intermediate portion, and 
 an expansion segment defined between the intermediate portion and the second opening, wherein the expansion segment expands between the intermediate portion and the second opening.